Not A Regressor - Chapter 240

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Am Not a Regressor Chapter 240
Baptism of Stars (2)
They say time flies when you’re having fun.
While waiting for the baptism, I spent the days at home with Ha-eun, and before I knew it, a week had slipped away.
“Mmm.”
I woke early in the morning and stretched.
I gently stroked Ha-eun’s hair as she lay beside me, sleeping peacefully.
Over the past week, Isabella had been absent, and Vega was busy with baptism preparations, so I was able to spend leisurely time alone with Ha-eun.
We watched movies together, enjoyed shopping, and spent the days in sweet harmony.
Just a year or two ago, I couldn’t have even dreamed of such happy moments.
“….”
I gazed down at Ha-eun with a somber expression.
Someday.
Would I forget all these happy memories too?
‘It’s fine.’
Losing memories is far less painful than losing someone precious.
‘Besides, I can always create new memories like this.’
I smiled faintly and caressed Ha-eun’s cheek.
Mmm.
She curled up like a cat, nuzzling her cheek against my hand.
“Still, it’s best not to use Stigma if I can help it.”
I got up and changed my clothes.
If necessary, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it, but I intended to avoid using Stigma as much as possible.
‘I don’t want to lose my virginity three times over.’
I chuckled softly as I stepped out through the foyer.
“Spring?”
Winter had passed, and a warm spring breeze was blowing in.
It had been about a year and six months since I entered the Gate with Lee Shin-hyuk and awakened Heukcheon.
In that time, my life had changed beyond recognition.
Fortunately, it had been for the better so far.
‘Now I need to protect it.’
I had grasped so much.
To protect what I held, I would need proportionally greater strength.
“Let’s go.”
I walked through the falling cherry blossoms toward the Star Palace.
* * *
[You’ve arrived.]
As I entered the Star Palace, I saw Vega waiting to greet me.
“Why aren’t you at the Divine Temple?”
[Hehe. I came out to wait for you, eager to see you even a moment sooner.]
Vega stroked Kwon O-jin’s head with a gentle smile as warm as a spring breeze.
By now, I should have grown accustomed to being treated like a child.
Kwon O-jin felt an awkward embarrassment creep over him, and he offered an uncomfortable smile while scratching his cheek.
[Are you shy?]
At the sight of him, Vega chuckled softly and stepped closer.
[Hehe. Come here. I’ve missed embracing you.]
Just as she spread her arms wide to pull him into her embrace—
“Hey! Vega, that’s not fair doing it alone!”
A cheerful voice rang out as a woman with short pink hair came rushing over.
Spica, the constellation of Virgo.
If Vega embodied the warmth of a spring breeze, Spica was a goddess radiating the brightness and cheer of a midsummer sun.
“It’s been forever! This is our first time since the proxy battle, right?”
Spica approached with sparkling eyes.
“Hehe. Do you know how shocked I was? You suddenly grabbed my arm and tore it right off!”
Her cheerful chatter filled the air.
[….]
“Huh? Um, Sister? Why do you have that expression?”
Spica, who had been chattering away like a sparrow, trembled slightly.
Since Vega had turned around, I couldn’t see her expression, but from the way Spica was trembling, it wasn’t difficult to guess what kind of face she was making.
[…You still talk far too much. Excessively so.]
“A… I’m… I’m sorry.”
Spica immediately shrank back and retreated hesitantly.
Vega let out a deep sigh and pulled Kwon O-jin’s hand.
[Come along. The constellations participating in the baptism are waiting for you.]
“Huh? I thought it was just going to be you and Deneb?”
[Well. So many constellations expressed their desire to participate in the baptism and see you that I had to narrow it down somewhat.]
“How many are participating in the baptism?”
[Six.]
Six.
It was an ambiguous number—many if you called it many, few if you called it few.
“Is there a reason for that?”
[It is a kind of ritual. Does not the Seven Stars signify seven stars? Thus, six constellations gather and bestow their blessings upon you, recognizing you as the seventh star. That is the meaning behind this ceremony.]
“I see.”
Kwon O-jin nodded in understanding.
“Oh, and by the way, the strength of the blessing depends on which six constellations participate!”
Spica chimed in from beside him, fidgeting.
“Since you have Vega and that little Deneb participating this time, you can look forward to it!”
“Who are the other participants?”
“First of all, me!”
Spica pointed to herself with a bright smile.
“Even if you say so, I’m one of the Zodiac Twelve Palaces, you know? The blessing’s effect will be quite sweet~!”
The strength of a blessing’s effect depended on which Constellation bestowed it—that was what determined a Constellation’s rank.
If that were the case, this ritual with two members of Polaris participating was certainly worth anticipating.
“Who else will be participating, if I may ask?”
“Hehe. I’ll explain that when we meet them directly!”
Spica dashed forward with a cheerful smile.
Guided by Vega and Spica, I arrived at a place where three Constellations had gathered.
‘Deneb hasn’t arrived yet, then.’
As I glanced around, I approached the three assembled Constellations.
“Hahahaha! So you’re the famous Noe-rang! I caught your proxy match before!”
A middle-aged man with a resonant voice approached with a hearty laugh.
His skin had a reddish tint, and horns sprouted from both sides of his head.
Had I not known he was a Constellation, I would have taken him for a demon rather than a celestial being.
“I am Aldebaran, the Constellation of Taurus! Congratulations on being chosen for the Seven Stars, human!”
“I’m Kwon O-jin. Thank you for having me.”
I clasped his massive hand—large as a pot lid—and bowed my head.
“Now that I think about it, you seem to have some connection with our apostles!”
“Ah, you mean Han Manager?”
“And isn’t there another one in Japan?”
He must be referring to Sakaki Ryo.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Heh. Those two are apostles I keep a close eye on as well, so continue to treat them well!”
“Of course.”
My contact with Sakaki Ryo had grown sparse lately, but I’d spoken with Han Manager just this morning—a brief call reminding me to receive the blessing properly.
“Are the introductions finished?”
Following Aldebaran came a man with an impassive expression.
He carried a sharp atmosphere, like gazing upon a finely honed blade. A long scar running horizontally across his right eye created an enigmatic charisma.
“I am Regulus, the Constellation of Leo.”
The Constellation of Leo.
Naturally, the face of Namgoong Hui—whom I’d seen recently—flickered through my mind.
“I heard there was friction between you and one of my apostles recently.”
“There was merely a slight difference of opinion.”
I shrugged nonchalantly, as if it were nothing of consequence.
“….”
Regulus remained silent, his eyes closed, before finally opening his mouth softly.
“A stigma is a seed. A seed that flies far from the tree takes root in the earth of its own accord and begins to sprout.”
“…?”
What was he trying to say?
“In other words….”
Regulus trailed off, his gaze shifting away.
“So what you’re saying is, this time your apostle’s mistake was completely beyond your control!”
“Ugh! D-don’t say another word, Spica!”
Regulus turned to face Spica with a flustered expression.
Spica stuck out her tongue with a mischievous grin and giggled.
“You needn’t concern yourself with Namgoong Hui’s matter.”
I let out a soft chuckle and shook my head.
I was well aware that even a Constellation couldn’t be held responsible for the character of every awakener who bore their stigma.
“Still, a parent must bear some responsibility for their child’s mistakes. I apologize.”
Regulus cleared his throat and continued.
“It’s quite alright. Besides, I haven’t had only unpleasant dealings with Leo’s awakener.”
“Ah yes, I recall hearing that child speak of you on several occasions.”
The child in question would be Lee Woo-hyuk.
“Lee Woo-hyuk… that one will ascend to even greater heights.”
A gentle smile graced Regulus’s lips as he thought of Lee Woo-hyuk.
Like a father exasperated by his troublemaking eldest son, yet proud of his younger son’s acceptance to Seoul National University.
‘It seems all Constellations regard their apostles like children.’
Though admittedly, there were Constellations like the one from Sagittarius who paid their apostles no mind whatsoever.
“Am I last?”
A woman who had been standing in the back stepped forward.
A goddess with luxuriant golden hair cascading to her feet.
While not quite as striking as Vega, she possessed a beauty that would naturally draw any man’s gaze.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Aries, Constellation of the Ram.”
Aries approached me with a warm smile.
My eyes wavered at the sight of her daring dress—the kind one might see in ancient Rome—with its plunging neckline.
“Hehe. Where are you looking?”
Aries smiled seductively and casually covered her exposed décolletage with her hand.
As I cleared my throat and tried to avert my gaze,
“I’m only joking. Feel free to look all you like. Or perhaps…”
Aries smiled wickedly and pulled my hand toward her.
“Would you like to touch?”
Smack!
Vega struck the back of Aries’s hand.
[Remove your hand.]
“Oh my, it was merely a light jest. There’s no need to be so concerned…”
[I said remove your hand.]
Crackle, crackle, crackle!
Blue lightning erupted around Vega’s form.
Her golden eyes gleamed with a chilling murderous intent, and the ground beneath us trembled as though an earthquake had struck.
“V-Vega?”
Aries, her expression panicked, quickly withdrew from me.
Vega grabbed Kwon O-jin’s arm and pulled him close, her eyes narrowing with protective wariness as she glared at Spica and Aries.
She looked like a mother kangaroo shielding her young from prowling wildcats.
“Really… who exactly is calling whom a child here?”
Just then.
A boy adorned with an array of glittering precious gems approached, his sigh heavy with exasperation.
[Ahem. So Deneb has arrived.]
“What, are you planning to cling to my side for the rest of your life?”
[How noisy.]
Vega hugged Kwon O-jin’s arm tighter, her eyes sparkling with fresh determination.
Deneb sighed as if to say there was no stopping her, then withdrew a blue jewel from his robes.
“Let’s prepare to depart soon.”
[Very well.]
Deneb placed the blue jewel at the center.
“So we’re heading to the Milky Way Spring now?”
[Indeed.]
Six Constellations extended their hands toward the blue jewel placed at the center.
Whoooosh!
Intense Constellation Mark power concentrated on the jewel as violent winds swept through the air.
Colorful auroras blanketed the sky, and a Dimensional Rift tore open.
Kwon O-jin gazed at the beautiful rift that seemed to contain the night sky spread with the Milky Way, letting out a soft exclamation.
A rift that required the combined strength of six Constellations to open.
“Where exactly is the Milky Way Spring that requires such effort to reach?”
[The Milky Way Spring is the place where the very first Constellation was born in the distant past.]
“The first Constellation?”
If it was the first Constellation…
[Indeed.]
Vega nodded as she gazed at the countless twinkling stars within the rift.
[The Milky Way Spring is where Polaris, the Constellation of the Little Bear, was born.]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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